Reply #15: My problem with HRW

[ronnie624]

with regard to Venezuela isn't that I believe it to be a right-wing organization, but that their criticisms of Latin American countries are clearly influenced by political considerations.

José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch has made many public speeches over the years and he has stated unequivocally that he supports funding by the U.S. government of organizations in Venezuela that are dedicated to the overthrow of the Chavez government--a clear violation of Venezuelan law (and the laws of any other country as well). He has also stated publicly that he has no problem with the "drug war" prosecuted by the U.S. against Latin American countries. Anyone with any understanding of the "war on drugs" knows very well its purpose is to allow the U.S. government to more easily infiltrate other countries with spies and to make damned sure they get their cut of the drug trade. These activities, of course, amount to even further violations of the sovereignty of the countries of Latin America by the U.S. government so I feel I must question the impartiality of Mr. Vivanco.

Further, of all the countries in the Americas, the United States is by far the most egregious offender of human rights, yet there is a surprising lack of criticism by HRW for a country that occupies this position. The U.S. government has for many years followed policies designed to strip Latin American countries of their independence while enabling the corporatists to exploit their labor and pillage their economies. The U.S has gone to extreme and brutal lengths to ensure it continues thus, including the finance and organization of right-wing death squads and even outright invasions. Where are the reports by HRW addressing these overarching and ongoing crimes against the sovereignty of other nations?

After browsing through the HRW website on many occasions, it has become clear that the reports on the United States are all written within the context of acceptance of U.S. political, economic and even military dominance over other countries, including the invasion of Iraq. I could never take seriously the reports by a "human rights organization" that accepts as a given the dominance of one country over others.